Top two

Germany also claimed second place with Daniel Deusser finishing runner up with chestnut First Class van Eeckelghem while Columbia’s Daniel Bluman took bronze with his 11-year-old bay stallion Conconcreto Apardi.

Ludger’s win accelerates him to second place on the overall rankings with compatriot Christian Ahlmann holding first place with 186 points. Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson sits a mere one point behind Ludger with 125 points.

Battle

Meanwhile 12 teams battled it out as the intense Global Champions League also continued in Chantilly.

The Madrid in Motion team accomplished their first victory of the season with Pedro Veniss teaming up with Gonzalo Anon Suarez and their horses For Felicila and Qlamp d’Ivraie finishing on just two time faults after two rounds of competition.

“I’m very happy. My mare jumped amazing… I just love the League – I think it’s super!” said a delighted Pedro of their win.

Previous leg winners Rome Gladiators took second place with Britain’s Laura Renwick (Heliodor Hybris) pairing up with Brazil’s Marlo Modolo Zanotelli (Valetto JX) for a team total of four faults.